Emergency Shelters, Warming/Cooling Centers, Soup Kitchens

Below is a list of emergency shelters, warming/cooling centers, soup kitchens, and other services available to those in need.  This information is updated whenever the City of Champaign is notified of changes by service providers.
Information on this page was accurate when posted but is subject to change without notice.

UPDATES


Updates will be posted here when available.


Coordinated Entry-Centralized Intake for Homeless (CIH) Assessments


If you are experiencing homelessness and live in Champaign County, CIH may be able to connect you to a homeless assistance program that can help. Please send an email (address below) to inquire about CIH and to schedule your assessment. To begin the CIH process, you will be asked to provide the following: third party homeless verification (obtained from local emergency shelter providers), photo ID, Social Security card(s), birth certificate of minor child(ren), disability verification (if applicable).

When a homeless assistance program has a vacancy and you are the next eligible household based on the prioritization established by the Continuum of Service Providers to the Homeless, you will be referred to the homeless assistance program. Each homeless assistance program has individual and specific eligibility requirements.
Contact: Email [email protected].


Shelter for Adults


Strides Low Barrier Shelter

The City of Champaign Township operates Strides, which provides year-round, full day, low-barrier shelter services to adults. This program will not require sobriety, abstinence, or criminal background check to participate in services. The right to self determination is not only preserved but encouraged by the program so that the community member determines what they consider success and how they will achieve success. Case managers are assigned to every community member that utilizes the shelter, but ultimately the community member makes the decision on how and when they would like to interact with the case manager. Daytime services are available 8:00 am – 7:00 pm daily. Stop by the shelter to inquire about all the services they offer.
Location: 70 E Washington, Champaign
Contact: 217-403-6150

C-U at Home

C-U at Home is a mid-barrier program that provides 24/7 stability to assist people who are experiencing homelessness. The program is for individuals eighteen and over. Clients must complete an intake which includes a client history and physical capabilities screening. Clients must agree to participate in the program. Each client who participates in the program receives shelter in a non-congregate environment and intensive case management. C-U at Home houses eight women and sixteen men with a small number of overflow options available. The program can last up to 18 months. Interested clients should contact C-U at Home by phone (see below) or come to the office Monday-Friday between 10 am-3 pm.  C-U at Home is not utilizing the Outreach/Emergency line at this time. They are only completing intakes during business hours
Location: 309 S Neil St., Champaign
Contact: 217-819-4569


Shelter for Families and Children


Emergency Shelter for Families with Children

To inquire about the Emergency Shelter for Families (ESF), please contact the Champaign County Regional Planning Commission using the information below. One or more parent (or legal guardian) age 18 or over with child(ren) under the age of 18 and Champaign County residents. Family household size is a maximum of six people. The head of the household needs to be biologically or legally related to the child(ren). Expecting women with no current children may be housed by program (must be in last trimester of pregnancy). Guests will be allowed weekly increments of stay, up to 30 days, as long as the guests are actively participating in case management services and working toward finding a more stable housing option.
Contact: Email [email protected]. If you do not have access to email call 217-328-3313 and request an email be sent on your behalf.

Families with Urbana School Children

Cunningham Township runs an emergency shelter program for families with children enrolled in the Urbana School District or who have children staying overnight at Crisis Nursery who have no other place to stay. The program offers eight units which have a full kitchen and are fully furnished. Families are prioritized based on need and must be screened prior to placement. The program duration is between 30-90 days as long as the families are actively participating in case management services and working toward finding more stable housing option. Ask your Urbana School Counselor or Crisis Nursery to make a referral.
Contact: Ask your Urbana School Counselor or Crisis Nursery to make a referral.

Crisis Nursery

Crisis Nursery is the only emergency-based child care facility open 24 hours, 365 days a year serving ages birth through six. It is open for the entire community to access with no fees or income eligibility. Besides safe shelter for children, they provide home visiting, play groups, support groups, case management and parenting education to strengthen parent skills and confidence. In addition to the services listed above Crisis Nursery provides diapers, formula, clothing, etc. to any community members in need. Emergency transportation support to and from the Nursery is available for families. Crisis Nursery believes that asking for help is a sign of strength. Families who may be experiencing a crisis are welcome to call (see below) to begin the process of scheduling care for their child(ren).
Contact: Call 217-337-2730 or Text 217-636-4221


Food


Daily Bread Soup Kitchen

The Daily Bread Soup Kitchen’s mission is to feed the hungry of the community. They provide a hot, nutritional meal in a biodegradable clam shell box, plus a hearty sack lunch, to-go, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., seven days a week. Because of COVID-19, they cannot offer inside dining.
Location: 116 N. First St., Champaign
Contact: 217-356-7687
Website:  dailybreadsoupkitchen.com

Canteen Run

The Canteen Run is a mobile truck that offers food, drinks, blankets, and human kindness to those on the streets Sunday-Wednesday from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Drivers are needed and require a background check. Training is provided on the spot.
Contact: [email protected]
Website: cucanteenrun.org

The Jubilee Café

Located in the basement of the Community United Church of Christ, the volunteer-based café provides fresh, home-cooked meals every Monday from 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. to college students, as well as local residents struggling with food insecurity.
Location: 805 S. Sixth St., Champaign

For a list of other food pantry and soup kitchen locations, dates, and hours click here or call 211 or 1-888-865-9903.


Daytime Warming/Cooling Centers


The Phoenix Daytime Drop-In Center

Location: 70 E. Washington St., Champaign

Salvation Army Daytime Warming Center

The Salvation Army Red Shield Center on Market Street also serves as a daytime warming center Mondays from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Tuesday-Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Capacity is limited due to space and staffing.
Location: 2212 N. Market St., Champaign

Homeless Veterans

Homeless veterans needing shelter should call the Pre-Screen Hotline (below)
Contact: 217-278-9897

Other Daytime Warming/Cooling Options

Public buildings, including libraries and municipal (city, state and federal) buildings, during normal business hours.


General Services


Courage Connection

Individuals or families fleeing domestic violence should contact Courage Connection’s Domestic Violence hotline which is open 24/7.  If you are in immediate danger call 911.
Contact: 1-877-384-4390

Rape Crisis Hotline – Available 24/7

Contact: 217-384-4444

Mental Health Assistance

Contact a mental health professional free of charge.
Contact: Text TALK to 552020 (English) or text HABLAR to 552020 (Spanish)

Salvation Army Stepping Stone Program

Stepping Stone is a transitional Housing Program which offer temporary housing for men, women and families who are employed full time and can be housed in 60-90 days. Individuals must follow the program guidelines of maintaining employment while housed. Individuals needs to present as homeless and have homeless verification. If participant(s) meet the criteria for placement they must commit to working the program. Capacity is limited due to the availability of hotel space.
Contact: Jean Ntedika at 217-373-7832, extension 230 before referring


Additional Resources


City of Champaign Township

General Assistance
For Champaign residents only. General Transitional Assistance (GTA): Is a program for mentally or physically disabled persons who absolutely cannot work. These individuals are single adults with no dependents and are applying or have applied for both SSI and SSDI. This program, upon approval, will provide a monthly stipend of $325 until the person is approved for Social Security payments or no longer qualifies for GTA. Applicants cannot have a class X or class 1 drug felony conviction after August 21, 1996.
Contact: Dawn at 217-403-6123

Emergency Rental Assistance
For households that currently have a past due balance of $800 or less and have a landlord’s notice to vacate OR a household moving into the City of Champaign Township limits and are considered literally homeless by HUD standards that may need assistance with a security deposit. Clients must prove household income and they also cannot have received ANY rental assistance in the past two years from either Champaign or Urbana organizations. The grant is issued once every two years.
Contact: Phelicia at 217-403-6122.

Cunningham Township

For Urbana residents only.  General Assistance (monthly check) for those out of work or disabled seeking SSI, Rental Assistance for homeless needing move in assistance or those facing evictions, and food pantry deliveries. Serves residents regardless of immigration or citizen status.
Location: 205 W. Green St., Urbana (to pickup an application)
Contact: Apply for help online at cunninghamtownship.org, call 217-384-4144, email [email protected],  Hablamos Español a 847-701-4217.

Regional Office of Education

The Regional Office of Education is a resource for homeless families with children and youth who are of school age. Pre-school aged children also receive services to ensure access to early childhood and preschool programs. Verification of school enrollment will be required. Services include providing school supplies, physical education clothing, transportation, alarm clocks, or special school fees such as those for field trips, pictures, and book clubs. In addition, funding is available for tutoring and to assist with the cost of educational summer programs.
Contact: 217-893-3219  (Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.)

Lifeline Free Phone Service

A free phone service for low income residents with a social security number. Service includes 3 GB data, unlimited texts, and 250-350 call minutes each month. Qualifications are based on income. You can use one of these to apply: pay stubs, SSI letter, unemployment letter, SNAP, Medicaid, housing voucher, or General Assistance letter. Apply directly through one of these phone service providers:
Virgin: assurancewireless.com or call 1-888-321-5880 – free phone provided
Access: accesswireless.com or call 1-888-900-5899 – free phone provided
Safe Link: safelinkwireless.com or call 1-800-723-3546. Must have your own phone – such as a TracFone

Community Resource Center

Community Resource Center at OSF Heart of Mary Medical Center hours 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Call hours are 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Contact: 217-337-2635